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Blaze at UN-African Union Mission in Darfur causes $4m damage

DARFUR: A fire broke out last night at the headquarters of the hybrid United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping operation in Darfur, known as UNAMID, causing $4 millions worth of damage, the mission announced today.UNAMID fire fighters, assisted by blue helmets from Rwanda and Egypt and the State Airport Fire Brigade, eventually brought the fire under control without suffering any injuries.The blaze caused an estimated $4 million worth of damage to communications equipment and another $1 million to other items, including office furniture and a water treatment laboratory.In addition, 11 container offices and two warehouses were completely destroyed in the fire, which may have been sparked by an electrical short circuit, according to an initial assessment to be confirmed after a more thorough investigation.

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